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UV dosage display confirms reduction of microorganisms

Erlanger, Kentucky (March 24, 2011) – Providing chemical-free disinfection for low flow pharmaceutical and biotech applications, Aquionics offers the new PharmaLine P^Q UV disinfection system.  PharmaLine P^Q uses USEPA approved UV lamps to destroy pathogens without chemicals, and is 3rd party validated for use in the production of pharmaceutical and healthcare products.

The Aquionics PharmaLine PQ validated UV disinfection system.

Water passed through the system is exposed to UV light, destroying the reproductive abilities of various microorganisms, viruses, yeasts, molds and algae.  PharmaLine P^Q ensures the total reduction of microorganisms with its integrated UV dosage display.  In addition, an online duty sensor can be checked against an optional reference sensor to ensure the UV unit is performing within specification.  Aquionics’ UV systems help provide water to the highest possible standards as demanded by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

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Aquionics unit provides chemical-free disinfection for safe discharge of wastewater

Erlanger, Kentucky (March 2, 2011) – Aquionics, a market leader in UV disinfection technology, helped the Wilsonville Power Systems Development Facility (Wilsonville, Ala.) meet a growing demand for wastewater treatment and comply with state regulations.  In four years of operation, contaminants have been kept within permit limits with minimal maintenance.

Aquionics’ OpenLine 30 UV disinfection system allows Wilsonville to comply with state and local regulations.

The Wilsonville Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF) is a research and development center that tests various processes, mainly coal-based technologies, before they are implemented at power supply facilities.  In 2006, the growing plant employed 200 people and produced a wastewater flow of about 25 GPM.  With its size expected to double in the near future, the facility was required by state and local regulators to start disinfecting its wastewater.  The existing wastewater treatment facility in Wilsonville was too far away for the facility to connect.  Therefore, the PSDF decided to build its own wastewater treatment facility.

After evaluating competing products, Wilsonville PSDF decided that Aquionics’ OpenLine 30 UV disinfection system most closely met with their specifications and budget requirements.  The OpenLine is an open channel disinfection unit, which uses low pressure, high output UV lamps to destroy microorganisms’ reproductive abilities on a cellular level.  The facility installed the OpenLine system in 2007 as the last item in the plant process, providing final treatment of the water before it is discharged into a local river.

The state issued permit required that no single grab sample of the water leaving the Wilsonville PSDF could have more than 200 fecal colonies per 100 ml.  The OpenLine system has provided the necessary disinfection required to meet the site’s permit.  In addition, the system offers a compact footprint and requires virtually no maintenance.  The OpenLine has operated for 21,000 hours since installation, meeting disinfection requirements without needing UV lamp replacement.

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New system offers disinfection with validated results

Erlanger, Kentucky (January 14, 2011) – Leading UV disinfection specialist Aquionics will unveil its PharmaLine P^Q UV disinfection system at INTERPHEX 2011, March 29-31 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (New York, NY).  The new system, for use in pharmaceutical and biotech applications, will be on display at the company’s booth #1973.

The Aquionics PharmaLine PQ validated UV disinfection system, at INTERPHEX booth #1973.

PharmaLine P^Q is engineered and has been 3rd party validated for use in the production of pharmaceutical and healthcare products, which requires water that is free of pathogens and chemicals like chlorine and ozone.  Water passed through the system is exposed to UV light, which destroys microorganisms’ ability to reproduce.  While legacy units display 0-100% relative UV intensity readings, PharmaLine P^Q‘s dosage display validates disinfection by confirming that the unit is generating the appropriate UV output to kill various microorganisms, yeast, mold and algae.  Aquionics’ UV systems help provide water to the highest possible standards as demanded by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

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Customizable OpenLine allows users to expand system for future needs

Erlanger, Kentucky (January 7, 2011) – Supplying environmentally safe treatment of effluent before it’s released into the environment, Aquionics introduces the OpenLine UV disinfection system.  The unit minimizes the impact that municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities have on local ecosystems.

The OpenLine UV disinfection system from Aquionics.

Using open channel, low pressure, high output UV amalgam lamps, the OpenLine destroys microorganisms’ reproductive abilities on a cellular level.  Treated effluent is free of residual chemicals and can be safely passed into the environment, without the risk of pollution.

The OpenLine is available in eight models, for treatment flow ranges from 15 to 1400 gallons per minute.  The compact system offers a smaller footprint than similar products, with only one power source required.  The unit’s UV lamps feature a 14,000 hour lamp life guarantee and an automatic quartz sleeve wiping system for reduced maintenance and optimal performance.  OpenLine’s control unit comes with a lamp hour counter and status monitoring as standard.  To accommodate future flow increases, the system can be expanded with additional UV modules without replacing the current UV channel and components.

Additional UV modules can be added to smaller models without replacing the UV channel or other components.  This allows customers to expand their unit if their future flows increase.

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Facility safely treats wastewater and rejuvenates local natural area

Erlanger, Kentucky (September 23, 2010) – UV disinfection specialist Aquionics helped the city of Carnation in King County, WA create an innovative, environmentally conscientious way of dealing with wastewater, using the company’s InLine 7500+ UV systems.

Aquionics’ UV systems allow Carnation, WA to safely treat wastewater while rejuvenating the Chinook Bend wetlands (inset).

Carnation, a city of about 1,900 residents, had never used a central sewage system; relying instead upon individual septic tanks and drainage fields to handle its wastewater disposal needs.  However, soil surveys conducted in 1987 revealed that the city’s current wastewater disposal method had become insufficient for the growing population’s needs, and continued usage of the current system posed a contamination threat to the local unprotected aquifer.  Carnation anticipated its future growth and recognized the associated health and environment problems that could come without a more developed wastewater system. 

To deal with this issue, Carnation worked with King County officials to develop plans for a new sewage system and wastewater treatment facility.  Officials chose to integrate a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system with UV disinfection technology to ensure that the treated water would be clean and environmentally safe.  Reclaimed water would then be discharged to nearby 59-acre Chinook Bend Natural Area to foster growth of wildlife and restore the wetlands.  The resulting facility was awarded the “Small Project of the Year Award” at the 2008 WateReuse Symposium in Dallas, Texas.

To find UV disinfection equipment suitable for this application, King County turned to Aquionics Inc.  Aquionics provided two parallel trains of InLine 7500+ units installed in-series after the MBR system.  The units are closed vessel, which allow them to flange directly to the piping from the MBR.  Each train is capable of treating large volumes of water, with one train treating up to 1.4 million gallons per day, while the second train provides back up treatment.  The system utilizes medium pressure, high intensity lamps to provide a compact footprint for disinfection.  The InLine systems are low maintenance, with automatic mechanical cleaning to keep quartz sleeves surrounding each UV lamp deposit free. 

The Carnation wastewater plant’s discharge is Class A; the highest quality level of reclaimed water recognized by the state of Washington.  Water is released into Chinook Bend Natural Area throughout the year, except during maintenance periods when output can be switched to the nearby Snoqualmie River. 

According to Carnation wastewater plant supervisor, Dan Zimmer, the UV equipment’s performance has met expectations producing reclaimed water for the facility without any permit violations.  In May 2010, after two successful years of operation, the automatic cleaning system had worked flawlessly and the UV lamps only required a single change.  “The UV equipment at the Carnation site has performed well, while requiring minimal maintenance.  I would recommend Aquionics’ closed vessel UV systems to another plant,” said Zimmer.

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Lawal to continue company’s growth in municipal and industrial markets

Erlanger, Kentucky (September 10, 2010) – UV disinfection specialist Aquionics has named Oliver Lawal as its new President.  Lawal was promoted from the position of Technical Director in the UV division of Aquionics’ parent company, Halma Plc., following the departure of previous Aquionics president, Bill Decker.

Oliver Lawal, President of Aquionics.

“Bill had an impressive amount of success as President of Aquionics.  I’m excited to continue where he left off, and drive further growth in the municipal and industrial markets,” said Lawal.

Lawal joined Aquionics and Halma Plc in 2009.  Having worked for companies in the US, UK, New Zealand and Germany, Lawal has over 12 years of global experience with UV products and applications.  He holds a Bachelor Degree in Integrated Engineering Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester, UK).

Lawal will be available for a meet-and-greet at Aquionics’ booth #2607 Hall E, at the WEFTEC 2010 Conference and Expo.

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Aquionics systems reduce exposure to harmful chemical disinfection byproducts

Erlanger, Kentucky (August 16, 2010) – A study published by Environmental Science & Technology magazine found that chemicals commonly used to disinfect pool water can pose serious health risks for swimmers.  The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois (Champaign, Ill.), shows that exposure to byproducts of chemical disinfection can cause early aging, birth defects, asthma and bladder cancer.  The findings suggest that the best method of pool disinfection is a combination of ultraviolet (UV) treatment and chlorine, rather than the traditional method of chlorine treatment alone.

Aquionics UV systems offer a safer alternative to chemical disinfection.

Aquionics offers a safer method of non-chemical pool water disinfection with its UV systems.  Water circulating through the pool is exposed to a specific spectrum of UV light, which is absorbed by microorganisms’ DNA.  The UV energy prohibits replication and causes permanent, irreparable inactivation of the microorganism.  Chlorine is still required for total disinfection, however pools using a UV system require up to 90% less chlorine than pools without UV.

In addition, UV light initiates photo-chemical and photo-oxidation reactions that destroy chloramines, the byproducts of chlorine disinfection.   This reduces the associated health risks along with unpleasant odors, eye and skin irritation, and corrosion to pool equipment.

Aquionics systems use UV monitors and state-of-the-art Photon controllers to measure and adjust lamp output to appropriate levels.  Automatic wipers keep the quartz sleeves surrounding the UV lamps clean and power switching ensures UV output varies according to demand, ensuring optimum performance at all times.  The systems are compact and can usually be installed within existing pipework.  The only regular maintenance required is changing the UV lamp every six months – a simple operation that can easily be carried out by on-site staff.

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$150m earmarked for acquisitions

Cincinnati, OH (June 22, 2010) – Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com), the leading global safety, health and sensor technology group, has announced record results with profits up 9% to $125m and revenue rising by 1% to $665m. The UK-based group, which has its US headquarters in Cincinnati, has posted strong financials to raise shareholder dividends by 7%, the thirty-first consecutive year of increases.  Halma’s 11 US subsidiaries, a number of which are located in the Greater Cincinnati area, generate about 30% of its revenue.  The company plans to augment its organic growth efforts through acquisition of complementary technology companies, as it has done for many years.

Halma’s subsidiaries operate in three main market sectors: Health and Analysis, Infrastructure Sensors, and Industrial Safety, creating shareholder value with consistent organic growth and sound acquisitions. Area companies include Aquionics, Crowcon Detection Instruments, Palintest, and Smith Flow Control in Erlanger, KY, and Fluid Conservation Systems in Milford, OH.  Halma companies operate as independent entities under the day-to-day direction of their local management, while reaping the capital and network benefits of a larger multi-national parent.

The company is seeking successful and profitable companies that are closely allied to any of its current market sectors although photonics, water, fluid technology and health optics are a particular focus. It has $150m earmarked for acquisitions.

Andrew Williams, Chief Executive of Halma, commented, “In recent years, Halma has generated significant organic growth momentum through increasing investment in management development, new product development and establishing platforms for growth in Asia.  We have considerable resources to support investment in further acquisitions to accelerate growth in our chosen markets.  We can comfortably deploy up to $150m on acquisitions should we find the right opportunities.”

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Halma is a holding company of approximately 35 worldwide subsidiaries that develop and manufacture products to improve quality of life for people worldwide. The company’s business groups focus on industrial safety, health and analysis and infrastructure sensors.

To present potential acquisitions opportunities, please contact David Leighty, Group Acquisitions Executive, USA, (david.leighty@halma.com), Tel: 1-732-244-1858.

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Bacteria control has recently become an important topic for discussion in the oil and gas industry.  Inadequate biocidal treatments can have negative consequences ranging from souring the reservoir with hydrogen sulfide gas, to microbial induced corrosion or the loss of fluid stability during stimulation.  And with stricter regulations on stimulation fluid additives, there has been an increasing effort to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals such as biocides that are present in these fluids.  This challenge has been complicated by water use restrictions, placing the oil and gas industry under increased pressure to move away from using fresh water.  Instead, oil producers have turned to non-pristine water sources, such as produced or flowback waters, which can often have high levels of bacterial contamination.

The Aquionics UV system for removal of SRBs during oilfield drilling.

The use of ultraviolet (UV) light for disinfection is well established throughout various industries and Aquionics has been at the forefront of its implementation for the past several decades.  Partnering with a major Oil and Gas servicing company, Aquionics helped prove this technology successfully in pilot trials that have been operating since early 2009.  Using an enhanced version of their standard product, field experience has proven the robustness of the equipment in various extreme conditions

A plethora of data is available on bacteria species that are human pathogens and on the effectiveness of UV disinfection for these particular species.  But in the oilfield, sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) are the target of interest.  Unfortunately, there is little published on the effectiveness of UV disinfection on SRBs.

Aquionics' UV systems help oilfield drilling go green.

Through its development partnership, Aquionics has employed advanced laboratory testing to validate the effectiveness of UV disinfection against specific SRB species that are commonly found in fluids used in the oil and gas industry.  These studies verified that UV disinfection can be an effective method for treating the target SRB species, and revealed some other interesting results.

Oliver Lawal, Aquionics V.P. of Technology will present a paper at this year’s Singapore International Water Week http://www.siww.com.sg/.  The paper outlines some of the techniques used in the laboratory and field testing, while detailing the operational considerations unique to this application.

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Psaroudis to increase customer awareness of chemical-free UV disinfection for pools and spas

Erlanger, Kentucky (April 22, 2010) – To further expand its reach into the North American pool and spa market, UV disinfection equipment manufacturer Aquionics has named John Psaroudis as Aquatics Sales Manager.

Aquionics new Aquatics Sales Manager, John Psaroudis.

In his new role, Psaroudis will seek to increase customer awareness of Aquionics’ gentle, chemical-free UV disinfection equipment for pools, spas, splash pads, water parks and interactive water fountains.  Additionally, he will aid new and existing customers through product service and support in these applications.

Prior to joining Aquionics, Psaroudis was National Sales Manager for PurAqua Products Inc. (Rock Hill, S.C.) for 7 years.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from West Liberty State College (West Liberty, W.Va.) and a Doctorate from West Virginia University (Morgantown, W.Va.).

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